The Handsomest Drowned man in the world: Review

Review

Title: The Handsomest drowned man in the world
Author: Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Genre: Short Story

This is a part of my creative writing course curriculum.

The Handsomest drowned man in the world is a story about how a group of children in a fishing village find a drowned man washed ashore. This raises an alarm amongst the village folk. The men head to the neighboring villages to enquire if the drowned man belongs to them.  The women in the meanwhile prepare the body for the funeral. The man happens to be big and strong which leaves the women contemplating about his identity and draw their own conclusions. While the men fail to understand the fuss made.

There lies an element of magical realism in the story similar to some of the other works by the author. In his inimitable style, he manages to portray a village that is desolate and devoid of happiness. Its interesting how several themes and metaphors are subtly brought out in the story. Change being a primary one here. This is exhibited both in the women's attitude towards the drowned man. From the initial awe wth regards to his huge build, their attitude turns to compassion when they begin to perceive him as someone vulnerable.

Another remarkable aspect lies in how the the flowers in the story are used as a symbolic representation of virility and happiness. Vivid and descriptive, the story manages to capture a wide range of emotions. Its intriguing how a presence of a person instills change for the positive in an otherwise dreary place.

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